Slide-controlled stop motion



April 13, 1948. E. VOSSEN ,4

SLIDE-CONTROLLED STOP MOTION Filed July 9, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. E we?!) V055 E/V April 13, 1948; VO'SSEN 2,439,591

SLIDE-CONTROLLED STOP MOTION Filed July 9, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I. INVENTOR. ;/Z7 5 Patented Apr. 13, 1948 UNITED" STATES PATENT QFFICE SLIDE=CONTROLLED'STOPMOTION Edward Vossen, Brooklyn, N'.:Y'.", assignor to Stop- Motion Devices Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 9, 1947; Serial No. 759;763

11 Claims; 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stop motion devices, and particu* larly' relates to improvementsupon United States Letters Patent of W. A. Zieve, No. 2,064,869, granted December 22, 1936.

Th characteristic-featureof the Zieve patent resides in the fact that it is'provided with-a slide throughwhich-the yarn passesandwhich is capable ofmovingdoWnto-set off'the-stopmotion device without the yarn becoming disconnected from said slide; This arrangement makes it-quite simple to reset the stop motion'device by merely causing'the slide to again assume its raised position. The Zieve stopmotionwas primarilydesigned for knitting machinesusing-heavier and coarser-yarns than those employed in hosiery knitting machines. This invention particularly proposes" to improve the Zieve stop motion toenable it tohandle very fine threads-like those used on ladies hosiery. For'example; from 60 denier nylon down as line as 15 denier. This is finer than a human hair.

An important object ofthis invention is to provide an improved'constructionin which resistances-of the movingparts and of the thread arematerially-reduoed.- It was an important problem to so construct the stop motionthat it is sensitive andcapable of' handlingvery fine threads, and yet that itisnot over-sensitive to a-point where vibration or superficial pulling of the yarn will unnecessarily-stop the knitting ma chine. The fine nylon threads used in ladies hose travel very rapidly; and in the event of a pull itis necessaryt-hatthe stop motion functions very quickly to bring the knitting machine to a halt before the very fine thread snaps and causes adamage. An importantfeature ofthis invention resides in the-fact that the knitting machine will be quickly-stopped in the event of a pull on the thread in excess of a'superficial pull, without the stop motion dropping the thread so that it is always supported and under'control, preventing twisting and entanglement around protruding parts of the knitting machine. It is pointed out that if conventional stop motion detectors are employed on anylon or-other-fine thread knitting machine, theth-readispul-led off the fingers of the detectors in the event of a pull, and-because the thread is so very fine, it will immediately-become wrapped around part-s ofithemachine and entangled. In unentang-ling and unraveling of so fine a thread as from 15 to GOdenier nylon requires. a great deal. of patience, skill, and a relatively long time.

More specifically, the more importantimprovereduced.

It is another object ofthis-invention to sosupport the slide that'it is delicately balanced and guided tomovein a predetermined path, preferably the vertical direction.

A further object is to provide-a frame having parallel side rails in the nature of grooves and to construct the slide with-fine side wire rails engaging insaid grooves. It is proposed that the side rails of the slide be relatively long sothat the-slide will berestrained from turning into locking positions, or positions in which friction is materially increased.

Another object of the invention resides-in providing an exceptionally fine and delicate spring normally urging the slide into a raised position. It-is' proposed to construct this spring of very fine: spring steel wire wound into a springer a verylarge number of turns.

The invention also proposesmeans for encasingand protecting the spring referred to above.

Anotherobject of the invention is toprovide a fine --ad-justment by which the tension of said spring may be varied for mak ng it possible to adjust the operation of the slide to control the sensitivity of the stop motion device. Thus the st'opmotion device may be adjusted to a point whereit'willnot operate upon merely superficial pulls otthethreads, norwill it operate dueto the-usual normal vibrations. The stop motion may also be adjusted for different weights of yarns.

Another object of this invention is to provide separate switches for detecting an excessive pull of the yarn and for detecting a broken yarn. In the Zieve patent one switch was used for both purposes, By separating the switches it is possible to usea construction in which frictional resistances'and other resistances are materially reduced.

Another object of the invention resides in so constructing the switch which detects a broken yarn or the end of the yarn that it will be-exceptionally delicate-and offer substantially no resistance,. or very little resistance, to the passage of the thread;

Another object of the invention resides in providing a support for supporting a number of the new slide control stop motions as needed on all knitting machines.

Still another object of the invention resides in so associating the new slide control stop motion with the support so that they may be turned or aimed towards the knitting machine to direct the threads to assume more advantageous paths.

Another object is the construction of a stop motion device as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan viewof a support provided with a group of slide control stop motion devices constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 'l-l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line iii-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a side view of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 11.

The slide control stop motion device [4, in accordance with this invention, may best be understood by first examining Figs. 4-12, inclusive. The slide control stop motion I 4 includes a frame l5 having parallel side rails l6. These side rails l6 are formed with opposed grooves I! on their opposed inner faces. The frame l5 has a bottom member [8 connecting the bottom ends of the side rails It. This bottom member I8 is provided with a cylindrical stud l9 by which the frame 15 may be turned to various axial positions about the axis of the stud IS. The frame It: has a top member formed with slots 2| into which the top ends of the side rails l6 engage. Screws 22 attach the top ends of the side rails I6 onto the member 23.

A slide 24 is slidably mounted between said side rails Hi. This slide 24 is provided with an aperture or eyelet 25 for a traveling fiexible element such as a nylon thread. The eyelet 25 comprises a porcelain eyelet 25 mounted through a strip 26.

This strip 26 is mounted between the top and bottom of a wire frame 21. The sides 28 of the wire frame 21 slidably engage the grooves II. It should be noted that the sides 28 are relatively long (see Fig. 4) so as to give the slide 24 large bearin surfaces.

A tubular member 30 is mounted upon the top of the frame It. More particularly, the bottom .end of the tubular member 30 engages into a receiving slot 3! formed in the top member 20. A

clamp strip 32 is mounted across the top member 20 and serves to firmly hold the tubular member 30 in position. A very fine coil spring 34 of very fine spring wire having a large number of turns extends through the tubular member 3!]. This spring 3 3 has its bottom end 34' connected with the slide 26. More particularly, the end 34' passes through a small opening 35 formed in the top of the strip 26.

Spring adjustment means is mounted in the tubular member 33 and connected with the top end of the spring 3d by which the tension of the spring 34 may be controlled. This spring adjustment means includes a fine screw 36 extending through the tubular member 39. The screw 38 is rotatively supported in a block 3! mounted in the top of the tubular member 39 and held in position by a screw 38. The screw 36 has a reduced top end which passes through the block 31 and extends above said block. A friction washer 39 is engaged On the block 37 about the reduced end of the screw 36. A turning knob 49 is mounted on the top reduced end of screw 35 by which the screw 33 may be turned. A follower nut 42 threadedly engages the screw 36 and enages the inside face of the tubular member 30, which is non-circular in cross section, More specifically, the tubular member 36 and follower 42 are square. The follower i2 is provided with a reduced shank M around which the top end of the spring 34 is engaged and fastened.

A switch 46 is associated with the slide 24 in a certain way by which the slide 2 3 may control the switch 45. More particularly, the switch 46 includes a casing 47 provided with a support lug 48 attached to the top member 28 by a fastening element 49. A contact arm 58 is mounted within .the casing 61 and is insulated from the casing by insulation pieces 5i.

These insulation pieces 5| and contact arm 50 are supported by a rivet 52. The rivet 52 also supports an external terminal 53 for an electric wire.

An operator lever 54 has a horizontal bottom section 55 turnably mounted through the bottom of the casing 47. This bottom section 55 has an upwardly directed crank-like contact portion 56 which is adapted to engage the contact arm 50 when the lever 52 pivots downwards, as indicated by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 5. The lever 55 extends upwardly along the side of the casing 41 and at the top has a top end 51 which normally engages and is raised by the slide 2 2.

A bottom switch 8G is associated with the top switch 46 in a certain way, hereinafter fully described. This bottom switch Bli is mounted on a member 6| having a top opening 6! for a fastening element 62' by which the switch 60 is attached to a support frame 82. The member 6| supports a traveling flexible element guide 62. This guide 62 is in the nature of a piece of U-shaped wire attached at its center to the member 6| by a fastening element 63. The guide 62 is provided with a pair of vertically spaced horizontal arms 64 and 65. These arms 6d and 65 have forwardly directed ends 66 and forwardly directed central portions 67. Said switch 6|] comprises a contact arm 68 and a cooperative contact 69. The contact arm 63 is mounted within an insulation cover lil which is mounted on the member BI and connects with terminal 68'. The

contact 69 comprises the crank portion 69 of a member H and normally holds. the contact arm 38 spaced from the member'- 6 lto-- prevent a. short circuit. The lever extends up along the side of the member if and at the top it is' provided with a horizontal top section l4 aligned between said horizontal arms 6'4- and 65-. In the aligned positions of these parts the switch 68, 69, is open. The horizontal section 14 has a rearwardl-y directed central portion 15 aligned with. the forwardly directed portion ST. The horizontal secthan 14 is also provided with aiorwardly' directed end 11 against which a flexible element (thread) may be engaged and by which said lever H may be moved rearwards and by which said" flexible element (thread) may be engaged behind said forwardly directed ends 66 of said horizontal arms 64 and 65'. The flexible element (thread) may bemoved over to a central position tovertically' pass through the aligned (eye-like)- port'ions 61 and I5; angle member 18 is attached to the bottom of the insulation block l0 and has a horizontal arm 79 provided with a porcelain eyelet 80* through which the traveling flexible element (thread) may move.

It is proposed that each thread of a knitting machine be protected with a slide control stop motion M as disclosedin' Figs. 4-12, inclusive. In Figs. 1-3 a support frame 82 is illustrated supporting" anumber ofsaid stop motion devices M. The support frame 82 is provided with a bracket 83- supported by' a vertical post 84 which may be mounted on the knitting machine. The support frame- 82 is providedwith a plurality of vertical openings t9 into which the studs I 9 ofthe stopmotion devices- I4- may be engaged. For' eachv stop motion device- I4 there is a, bottom switch 60 mounted in its vicinity. The threading of the stopm'otiom device may be understood by exami'ni'ng' Fig; 2 and noting that the thread 85' from one ofthe spools 85 of" thread 85 of a knitting machine passes upwards through the eyelet B0 of one of the bottom switches 60-, then extends upwards and through the eyelet of the slide 24 of one or the stop motion devices [4-, and then downwards to the knitting machine. Each thread to the knitting machine is similarly threaded.

The operation and use of the slide control stop motion may be understood'from the following:

During the operation of the knitting machine the thread 85" passes very rapidly ofi the'spool 85 and up through the eyelet 80, then through the eyelet 25 of the slide 24, and. then down to the knitting machine; The spring 34' holds the slide 24 substantially stationary during the normali operation ofthe knitting machine overcoming superficial pulls on the thread 85" and vibrations. However, when. a real obstruction tov the passage of. thethreadf85' comes along, the thread willjbepulled' andthe slide'24 will be pulled down along. the rails I'B. As. soon as the slide 24 moves downwardsthe lever 54 willbe released and will move downwards due to gravity. The contact crankv 551 of the lever 54' will move forwards and engage the contact arm 50. This closes the electric circuit of the switch 46. It is proposed that all off the switches 46 of all' of the stop motion devices: l4 be connectedin the electric stop motion. system of. the. knitting machine so that as soon. as.v any. switch 416" is closed the controller of the. knitting, machine is actuated and the knitting motion device [4 functioned without the thread 85' being dropped. The thread 85" is still passing through the eyelet 25. It is therefore supported. Itdid not falldown as in a customary finger type stop motion, and consequently there is no opportunity for the thread tobecome entangled. 'I-he knitting'machine maybe restarted merelybyloosening the pull on the yarn 85' so that thespring returns-the slide 24 to its raised position. The slide 24 then lifts the lever 54 so that the crank contact 55 disengages the contact arm'SO.

In the event that the yarn 85- breaks or runs out, without a pull which operates the slide 24, then thelever H is released as soon as no'yarn passesthroug-h-the projecting (eye-like) portions 61 and 1 5. The lever H is therefore freed and falls down, as-indicated by the dot and dash lines H in Fig. 10; The crank contact 69 will then engage the contact arm 68, closing the switch 69. It should be understoodthat all switches are to be connected-with the electric controller of the knitting machine so that the knitting machine is instantly stopped;

Theswitch- 60 may easily be rethreaded- It is merely necessary that. the thread. bev engaged at the base-ofthe forwardly extending end portion 11 of the: horizontal. section 74 of the lever H. The lever H is then moved backwards until the thread reaches a position in back of the forwardly engaged ends 66 of the guide 62. Now the thread may be moved laterally behind the guide 62 until it reachesa position between the eye-like projections 61' and. 15, The switch. 60 is now in. its operative position again.

The tension of the spring 34 may be varied by turning theknob' lii, causing the following nut142 to move upward'sor downwards for stretching or releasing the" spring 34. This controls the sensitivity of the stop motion device so that it may be adjusted" to avoid operations due to superfici'al pulls and vibration. Each of the slide control stop motion devices l4 may be turned about the studs [9" as an axis'so as to properly direct. the thread passing through the eyelet 25 to the-knitting machine.

While I- have-illustrated and" described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I' do not limit myself to themeelse construction herein disclosed and the right is'reserved-to a-ll changes and modifications comme within the scopeof. the invention. as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to have secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A slide-controlled stop motion, comprising a frame having parallel side rails, a slide having an aperture fora traveling flexible element to pass through and slidably mounted between said side rails, a tubular member mounted on the top of said frame, a coil spring of very fine wire having a large number of turns extending through said tubular member and having its bottom end connected with' said slide for urging it upwards, adjustment means mounted on said tubular member" and connected with the top end of said spring, a switch havingan operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch and said operator lever being normally engaged by said slide in its raised position for holding said switch open,v another switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch, and means for guiding said traveling flexible element past said second named operator lever for holding it raised and so holding said second named switch open.

2. A slide-controlled stop motion, comprising a frame having parallel side rails, a slide having an aperture for a traveling flexible element to pass through and slidably mounted between said side rails, a tubular member mounted on the top of said frame, a coil spring of very fine wire having a large number of turns extending through, said tubular member and having its bottom end connected with said slide for urging it upwards, adjustment means mounted on said tubular member and connected with the top end of said spring, a switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch and said operator lever being normally engaged by said slide in its raised position for holding said switch open, another switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch, and means for guiding said traveling flexible element past said second named operator lever for holding it raised and so holding said second named switch open, said side rails having grooves in which said slide operates.

3. A slide-controlled stop motion, comprising a frame having parallel side rails, a slide having an aperture for traveling flexible element to pass through and slidably mounted between said side rails, a tubular member mounted on the top of said frame, a coil spring of very fine wire having a large number of turns extending through said tubular member and having its bottom end connected with said slide for urging it upwards, adjustment means mounted on said tubular memher and connected with the top end of aid spring, a switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch and said operator lever being normally engaged by said slide in its raised position for holding said switch open, another switch having an operator lever which it free to move downwards for closing the switch, and means for guiding said traveling an aperture for a traveling flexible element to pass through and slidably mounted between said side rails, a tubular member mounted on the top of said frame, a coil spring of very fine wire having a large number of turns extending through said tubular member and having its bottom end connected with said slide for urging it upwards, adjustment means mounted on said tubular member and connected with the top end of said spring, a switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch and said operator lever being normally engaged by said slide in its raised position for holding said switch open, another switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch, and means for guiding said traveling flexible element past said second named operator lever for holding it raised and so holding said second named switch open, said slide comprising a wire frame having side arms, andsaid rails having grooves in which said side arms slidably engage, and a strip mounted upon said wire frame and provided with an eyelet comprising said aperture.

5. A slide-controlled stop motion, comprising a frame having parallel side rails, a slide having an aperture for a traveling flexible element to pass through and slidably mounted between said side rails, a tubular member mounted on the top of said frame, a coil spring of very fine wire having a large number of turns extending through said tubular member and having its bottom end connected with said slide for urging it upwards, adjustment means mounted on said tubular member and connected with the top end of said spring, a switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch and said operator lever being normally engaged by said slide in its raised position for holding said switch open, another switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch, and means for guiding said traveling flexible element past said second named operator lever for holdingit raised and so holding said second named switch open, said frame having a top member with an opening into which the bottom end of said tubular member engages, and a clamp strip mounted on said top member for clamping said tubular member in position. v

6. A slide-controlled stop motion,. compris ing a frame having parallel side rails, a slide having an aperture for a traveling flexible element to pass through and slidably mounted betweensaid side rails, a tubular member mounted on the top of said frame, a coil spring of very fine wire having a large number of turns extending through said tubular member and having its bottom end connected with said slide for urging it upwards, adjustment means mounted on said tubular member and connected with the top end of said spring, a switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch and said operator lever being normally engaged by said slide in its raised position for holding said switch open, another switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch, and means for guiding said traveling flexible element past said second named operator lever for holding it raised and so holding said second named switch open, said adjustment means including a screw rotatively supported through said tubular member, and a follower threadedly engaged on said screw and non-rotatively engaging said tubular member andconnected with the top end of said spring.

7. A slide-controlled stop motion, comprising a frame having parallel side rails, a slide having an aperture for a traveling flexible element to pass through and slidably mounted between said side rails, a tubular member mounted on the top of said frame, a coil spring of very fine wire having a large number of turns extending through said tubular member and having its bottom end connected with said slide for urging it upwards,

adjustment means mounted on said tubular member and connected with the top end of said spring, a switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch and said operator lever being normally engaged by said slide in its raised position for holding said switch open, another switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch, and means for, guiding said traveling flexible element past saidsecond named operator lever for holdingit raised and so holding said second named switch open, said adjustment ,means including a screw rotatively supported through said tubular member, and a follower threadedly engaged'on said screw and non-rotatively engaging said tubular member and connected with the top end of said spring, said screw having a projecting end with a knob by which it may be turned.

8. A slide-controlled stop motion, comprising a frame having parallel side rails, a slide having an. aperture for a traveling flexible element to pass through and slidably mounted between said side rails, a tubular member mounted on the top of said frame, a coil spring of very fine wire having a large number of turns extending through said tubular'member and having its bottom end connected with said slide for urging it upwards, adjustment means mounted on said tubular member and connected with the top end of said spring, a switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch and said operator lever being normally engaged by said slide in its raised position for holding said switch open, another switch having an operator lever which is free to move downwards for closing the switch, means for guiding said trave1- ing flexible element past said second named operator lever for holding it raised and so holding said second named switch open, a stud on the bottom of said frame for supporting said frame in various turned positions, and a support for said stud.

9. In a stop motion, a member, a traveling flexible element guide mounted on said member and having horizontal arms provided with forwardly directed ends and forwardly directed central portions, a switch mounted on said member, and a lever for operating said switch and being pivotally mounted on said member so as to fall forwards, said lever having a horizontal section adapted to be moved rearwards and aligned with said horizontal arms for the open position of said switch, said horizontal section having a rearwardly directed central portion and a rearwardly directed portion having a forwardly directed end into which said flexible element may be engaged by which said lever may be moved rearwards and by which said flexible element may be engaged behind the forwardly directed ends of said horizontal arms and then moved over to said aligned central portions.

10. In a stop motion, a member, a traveling flexible element guide mounted on said member and having horizontal arms provided with forwardly directed ends and forwardly directed central portions, a, switch mounted on said member, and a lever for operating said switch and being pivotally mounted on said member so as to fall forwards, said lever having a horizontal section adapted to be moved rearwards and aligned with said horizontal arms for the opening position of said switch, said horizontal section having a rearwardly directed central portion aligned with said forwardly directed centrol portions and a rearwardly directed end portion having a forwardly directed end into which said flexible element may be engaged and by which said lever may be moved rearwards and by which said flexible element may be engaged behind the forwardly directed ends of said horizontal arms and then moved over to said aligned central portions, said guide comprising a strip of wire.

11. In a stop motion, a member, a traveling flexible element guide mounted on said member and having horizontal arms provided with forwardly directed ends and forwardly directed central portions, a switch mounted on said member, and a lever for operating said switch and being pivotally mounted on said member so as to fall forwards, said lever having a horizontal section adapted to be moved rearwards and aligned with said horizontal arms for the open position of said switch, said horizontal section having a rearwardly directed central portion and a rearwardly directed portion having a forwardly directed end into which said flexible element may be engaged by which said lever may be moved rearwards and by which said flexible element may be engaged behind the forwardly directed ends of said horizontal arms and then moved over to said aligned central ortions, said switch comprising a contact arm and a cooperative contact connected with said lever and engageable with said contact arm.

EDWARD VOSSEN. 

